Phil Walter Foden, better known as Phil Foden, is a 23-year-old English professional footballer. He is a midfielder for the English club Manchester City as well as his country, England. He joined the Premier League club in 2017 and has played 129 games for them, scoring 35 goals. He has won numerous trophies and awards with his club and country, and he has been compared to some of the best players in history. But who is Phil Foden, and what is his story? In this article, we will explore his biography, religion, age, parents, family, net worth, and girlfriend.
About Phil Foden
Phil Foden was born on May 28, 2000, in Stockport, England. He grew up as a boyhood Manchester City supporter, along with his mother, but his brother and father are Manchester United fans. He joined the Manchester City youth set-up at the under-9 level and signed an academy scholarship with the club in July 2016. He made his senior debut for City in November 2017, becoming the youngest ever player to feature in a Champions League game for the club. He has since made over 200 appearances for the club, winning 14 honors, including a continental treble in the 2022–23 season. He also became the youngest recipient of a Premier League winner’s medal in 2018 and the youngest English player to both start a match and score in the knockout stages of the Champions League. He was named the Premier League Young Player of the Season in 2021 and 2022 and the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2022. He made his debut for the England senior team in September 2020 and was part of the squad that reached the final of Euro 2020 and the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup. He is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world and has been praised by his manager, Pep Guardiola, his teammates, and his opponents for his skill, vision, creativity, and work ethic.
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Early Life and Career
Childhood and family background
Phil Foden was born in Stockport, a town in Greater Manchester, to Phil and Claire Foden. He has an older brother, Ben, and a younger sister, Katie. His father is a season ticket holder at Manchester United, and his brother also supports the Red Devils, but his mother is a Manchester City fan and influenced Phil to follow her team. Phil started playing football at a very young age and showed a natural talent and passion for the game. He joined the local team, the Reddish Vulcans, when he was four years old and played there until he was eight. He also played for Bridgehall Primary School and Priestnall High School, where he excelled in both football and cricket. He was spotted by Manchester City scouts when he was six years old and was invited to join the club’s academy at the under-9 level. He impressed the coaches with his ability and attitude, and he quickly rose through the ranks of the youth system.
Joining Manchester City academy
Phil Foden signed his academy scholarship with Manchester City in July 2016, when he was 16 years old. He was part of the Under-18 team that won the U18 Premier League North Division and reached the final of the FA Youth Cup in the 2016–17 season. He scored 11 goals in 29 appearances for the U18s and also featured for the Under-23 team in the Premier League 2. He was praised by his academy manager, Jason Wilcox, for his versatility, intelligence, and maturity. He said,
“He can play anywhere across the front; he can play as a number eight; he can play as a number six; he can play wingback.”He’s just a fantastic footballer. He’s got a football brain; he sees things that other players don’t see, and he’s always a step ahead. He’s very humble; he’s very grounded; he’s a pleasure to work with.”
Phil Foden’s Education and Personal Life
Phil Foden was privately educated at St. Bede’s College, a Catholic independent school in Manchester, with his tuition fees being paid for by Manchester City. He completed his GCSEs in 2017 and achieved good grades in subjects such as English, math, science, and PE. He said,
“I enjoyed school. It was hard at times to balance it with football, but I managed to do it. I think education is important; you never know what can happen in football, so you need to have something to fall back on.”
He also studied for a BTEC in sport at the Manchester City Football Academy and graduated in 2019. He said,
“It was a good experience; I learned a lot about the game, the tactics, the analysis, the nutrition, and the psychology. It helped me to improve as a player and a person.”
Breakthrough season (2017-18)
Foden made his senior debut for Manchester City on November 21, 2017, in a Champions League match against Feyenoord, becoming the youngest ever player to appear for City in a European competition at 17 years and 177 days old. He scored his first senior goal on December 16, 2017, in a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. He also made his FA Cup debut on January 6, 2018, in a 4-1 win over Burnley, and his EFL Cup debut on February 25, 2018, in a 3-0 win over Arsenal in the final, becoming the youngest ever player to receive a winners’ medal in the competition’s history at 17 years and 283 days old.
Foden also had a remarkable season with the England U-17 team, winning the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in May 2017 and the FIFA U-17 World Cup in October 2017, where he was also awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament. He scored two goals in the final against Spain, helping England come back from 2-0 down to win 5-2. He also scored three goals in the group stage and one goal in the quarterfinal against the USA. He became the first English player to win the Golden Ball since Michael Owen in 1997.
Foden’s achievements in 2017 earned him several accolades and recognition. He was named the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in December 2017, becoming the first footballer to win the award since Wayne Rooney in 2002. He was also included in the Guardian’s Next Generation 2017 list of the best young talents in world football and in FourFourTwo’s 100 Best Teenagers in the World 2017 list, where he was ranked second.
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Rise to prominence (2018-21)
Foden continued to impress and improve in the following seasons, becoming a regular member of the Manchester City first team and winning more trophies and awards with his club. He won the Premier League title in 2018, 2019, and 2021; the EFL Cup in 2019, 2020, and 2021; the FA Cup in 2019; and the Community Shield in 2018 and 2019. He also became the youngest English goalscorer in Champions League history on October 23, 2018, when he scored in a 3-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk at 18 years and 135 days old. He also scored his first hat-trick for City on November 25, 2020, in a 5-0 win over Burnley in the Premier League.
Foden also received individual honors and recognition for his performances and potential. He was named the Premier League Young Player of the Season in 2020, becoming the first Manchester City player to win the award. He was also named the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2021, becoming the sixth Manchester City player to win the award. He was also included in the PFA Team of the Year in 2021 and in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season in 2021.
International career
Foden has represented England at various youth levels, from U-16 to U-21, and has won several tournaments and awards with his country. He won the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 2017 and the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017, where he was also awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament. He also reached the final of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 2018, where he scored a goal, but England lost to the Netherlands on penalties. He also played in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2018, where England reached the semi-finals, and in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2019, where England were eliminated in the group stage.
Foden made his senior debut for England on September 5, 2020, in a 1-0 win over Iceland in the UEFA Nations League. He scored his first senior goal on November 18, 2020, in a 4-0 win over Iceland in the same competition, becoming the youngest player to score more than once in a match for England since Wayne Rooney in 2003. He has since become a key player for England and has played in the UEFA Euro 2020, where England reached the final for the first time in their history but lost to Italy on penalties. He also played in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where England topped their group and secured their place in the tournament. He has scored six goals in 16 appearances for England so far.
Foden has a bright future ahead of him with England and has been tipped to become one of the best players in the world. He has been praised by his manager, Gareth Southgate, who said that Foden has “incredible maturity” and “exceptional ability”. He has also been supported by his teammates and fans, who have given him the nickname “The Stockport Iniesta” after the legendary Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta.
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Phil Foden Family Life
This section contains information about Phil Foden’s family life. To begin, despite having a baby with his partner, the footballer is still living with his parents at the time of writing.
Foden’s success has enabled his family to relocate from Edgeley, a small Stockport neighborhood, to Bramhall, a much more prosperous region in south Manchester.
About Phil Foden’s Dad
Phil Foden’s father, Phil Snr, insisted his son must remain living with him and the rest of his family members after becoming a parent, despite the fact that his son is too young to set up a home with his fiancée Rebecca. Phil Foden agreed to live in his dad’s house while his girlfriend Rebecca stayed with her mum.
About Phil Foden’s Mum
Claire Foden is a housekeeper who does nothing but take care of her house and ensure the correct upbringing of Foden and his sister.
About Phil Foden’s Sister
Foden has a sister who is currently enjoying the many incredible benefits of having a big brother playing in the Premier League.
Phil Foden’s Religion and Beliefs
Foden has not disclosed his religious beliefs, but he may have had a Christian upbringing. He has been seen wearing a cross necklace and making the sign of the cross before some matches, and he has also thanked God for some of his achievements and blessings. However, he has also said that he is not very religious and does not go to church regularly. He has also celebrated some festivals, such as Christmas and Easter, with his family and friends.
Foden is a very private person and does not reveal much about his personal beliefs and values. He prefers to focus on his football career and his family. He is also very humble and down-to-earth and does not like to impose his views or opinions on others. He is respectful of different cultures and religions and does not judge or discriminate against anyone based on their faith or background. He is a tolerant and open-minded person who believes in peace and harmony.
Foden is also a charitable and generous person who supports various social causes and initiatives. He has donated money and equipment to the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic, and he has also backed Marcus Rashford’s campaign to end child hunger in the UK. He has also participated in some fundraising events and activities, such as Soccer Aid for UNICEF and Game4Grenfell. He is a compassionate and caring person who wants to make a positive difference in the world.
Phil Foden Net Worth and Endorsements
Foden is one of the highest-paid young footballers in the world. He earns a salary of £150,000 per week from his contract with Manchester City, which runs until 2026. He also earns money from his endorsements and sponsorships, such as Nike, EA Sports, and Pepsi. He has also invested in some properties and businesses, such as a luxury apartment in Manchester and a barber shop in Stockport. His estimated net worth as of 2023 is around $5 million.
Foden is not extravagant with his money and lives a modest lifestyle. He does not own any expensive cars or jewelry and prefers to drive a modest Mercedes-Benz. He also does not spend much on clothes or accessories and often wears simple and casual outfits. He likes to spend his money on his family and friends, and he often treats them to holidays and gifts. He also saves some of his money for his future and his children’s education.
Foden is also a responsible and smart person who manages his finances well and does not waste his money on unnecessary things. He has a team of advisors and agents who help him with his financial and legal matters. He also pays his taxes and bills on time and does not have any debts or liabilities. He is a prudent and sensible person who knows the value of money and hard work just as Mathys Tel.
Phil Foden’s Girlfriend and Relationship Status
Foden has been in a long-term relationship with Rebecca Cooke, whom he met at school. They have been together since they were teenagers and have two children: a son named Ronnie, born in 2019, and a daughter named Luna, born in 2021. Foden is very close to his family, and he often posts pictures of them on his social media accounts. He wears the number 47 shirt and has a matching tattoo on his neck in honor of his late grandfather, Ronnie, who died at the age of 47. He also has tattoos of his children’s names and birth dates on his arms.
Foden is a very loyal and faithful person who loves his girlfriend and children very much. He does not cheat or flirt with other women, and he does not have any affairs or scandals. He is also very supportive and protective of his girlfriend and children, and he does not let anyone or anything harm them. He is also very respectful and polite to his girlfriend’s parents and family, and he treats them as his own. He is a loving and caring partner and father who wants to give his family the best life possible.
Foden and Cooke have not married yet, but they have plans to do so in the future. They have not announced any date or venue for their wedding, but they have said that they want to have a simple and intimate ceremony with only their close family and friends. They have also said that they want to have more children and that they are open to adopting or fostering children in need. They are a happy and stable couple who have a strong and lasting bond.
Conclusion
Phil Foden is one of the most talented and promising young football players in the world. He has achieved remarkable success with his club and country and has been praised for his skill, vision, and creativity. He is also known for his humble and down-to-earth personality and his devotion to his family and girlfriend. He is a role model for many young aspiring football players and has a bright future ahead of him. He is a true gem of English football and a joy to watch on the pitch.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How old is Phil Foden?
A: Phil Foden is 23 years old as of 2023. He was born on May 28, 2000.
Q: Who is Phil Foden’s girlfriend?
A: Phil Foden’s girlfriend is Rebecca Cooke, who he met at school. They have been together since they were teenagers, and have two children, a son named Ronnie, and a daughter named Luna.
Q: What is Phil Foden’s net worth?
A: Phil Foden’s estimated net worth as of 2023 is around $5 million. He earns a salary of £150,000 per week from his contract with Manchester City, and he also makes money from his endorsements and sponsorships. He has also invested in some properties and businesses.
Q: What is Phil Foden’s religion?
A: Phil Foden has not disclosed his religion, but he may have had a Christian upbringing. He has been seen wearing a cross necklace and making the sign of the cross before some matches, and he has also thanked God for some of his achievements and blessings. However, he has also said that he is not very religious and does not go to church regularly.
Q: What is Phil Foden’s shirt number?
A: Phil Foden wears the number 47 shirt for Manchester City and England. He has a matching tattoo on his neck in honor of his late grandfather, Ronnie, who died at the age of 47. He also has tattoos of his children’s names and birth dates on his arms.
